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My technique is far from perfect. I do believe that part of the reason I can't get enough air is that I'm still learning. I'm not that desperate for a new board right now but it's the perfect opportunity for me to get one right now. I'm able to get a REALLY good deal on a K2 or Ride but it's only for a limited time. My brother doesn't have a board but wants to go with me this winter and I wanted to give him my current board. Thanks for the tips though. I wouldn't mind seeing more of these videos on technique if you know of any good ones.

Yea, I totally think you should go get a new board if you can get a good deal on them as you definitely have put some days on your current circa-2006 board. So definitely get a new board AND spend some time/effort on learning better technique.

So, there are a lot of free videos out there, an I will link to a few of them right after this. Overall though I think the SnowboardAddiction videos are the currently the best there is, they are very well made, high quality instructional video with very good advice. At the moment you can pay around $27 for a yearly subscription where they put up videos like every month. Luckily for you, the included in the current set of videos available for you include the "Intermediate - Challenge" video (available until the end of this month, that's Nov 30th) which specifically covers popping, ollies, nollies, popping switch, basic rotations (180s) and butters... plus you will have access to any of the video they put up for the rest of the year. Currently you will also get Tuning, Pre-Season workout, Intermediate Basics which covers riding steeps and moguls (useful skills). I have no affiliation with SnowboardAddiction, but I really want to promote people that put out good honest products that I think will help a lot of people.

If you watched the videos of me... you can see I'm not a natural athlete - I break too much at the waist and in general look super stiff. However, I still think I'm not too bad a snowboard because I spent a lot of time deliberately practicing my technique. So I really think spent a little bit of money on instruction will help you a lot (just trying to convince you that $27 isn't that much to spend).

Anyways, after my little rant about supporting small businesses... here are some free videos.

Thanks a lot for the find but my buddy works at a shop where he can help me get it at a lower price.

I'm really tempted to go for the Machete right now but I'd like to hear a few more suggestions or feedback on other boards too.

11-21-2012 04:23 PM

arl2

No offense taken lonerider. Your right about me... I'm not in the park lol. I hit the fresh snow and I can speak from experience using the Machete. It does amazing in that kind of condition. But back to the board sizing thing. Thanks for the information. Obviously I've been misinformed.

11-21-2012 04:17 PM

Butters

My technique is far from perfect. I do believe that part of the reason I can't get enough air is that I'm still learning. I'm not that desperate for a new board right now but it's the perfect opportunity for me to get one right now. I'm able to get a REALLY good deal on a K2 or Ride but it's only for a limited time. My brother doesn't have a board but wants to go with me this winter and I wanted to give him my current board. Thanks for the tips though. I wouldn't mind seeing more of these videos on technique if you know of any good ones.

11-21-2012 03:54 PM

arl2

Here you go. Awesome board for a really good price (comparing to what your willing to spend).

Yeah around there. But it also depends on what your going to do. Since you want to hit jumps and progress into the park, a smaller board would be better. Easier to control and spin in the air.

See it was mis-information like this that I'm trying to combat.

No offense Arl, but I'm going to guess you don't ride park that often - but you "read" online that shorter boards are easier to control and spin in the air, and so you are now parroting it to someone else.

A shorter board is a tiny bit easier to handle, but the difference is so small I wouldn't worry about it until you havd 360 dialed in start going for 540s and or you are trying to do 270 into and out of boardslides. When you are just starting out... virtually any board will be fine in the park (i.e. yes there are boards that are bad... but you really have to be trying hard ... like getting a dedicated swallowtail powder board). Straight airs, straight air with grab, 180s, even 360s all can easily be done with basically any board. If you are having trouble doing these tricks because you board is ~1% longer (153 vs 155), then you are doing it wrong.

That because said, OP... 150-155 is your range and you can shorter if you think that this your personal preference. You just lose a little stability on bigger jumps (this is me on a 155 cm board at your weight) and for halfpipe (video of me doing rails and halfpipe). As you can see, I'm not an amazing rider, but I'm doing ok on a 155 cm board. I've had a shorter board (K2 Jibpan 150cm)... and it was a tiny bit easier... but seriously it didn't not make me much better of a rider (I wish it did... but it is what it is). BTW, the Ride Machete sounds like a great board, I just haven't ridden it myself.

Oh right, I forgot to mention some stuff. My current salmon forecast is a somewhat stiff cambered 154. I tried testing out some of my friends boards and the Salomons noticeable heavier, especially when I'm trying to jump. I'm 5'9 and 148lbs. I'm guessing I would be looking for a board between 150-155. Does that sound about right?

Yes... 150-155 is the right range. I'm 5'9" 145-150 lbs (was 149 this morning) myself. In it's day the Salomon Forecast ERA was a great board (sadly that day was half a decade ago). I demo the Forecast and rode the Daniel Frank 155.5 model (which was a slightly modified Forecast ERA if I recall correctly) and I was around 140 lbs back then. I agree that those boards weren't the lightest, and more importantly didn't have the best pop. FYI, a 2006 board is going to be like half a pound heavier than a modern board (noticeable, but not huge).

Based on your self-description (just starting out on jumps) and the fact that you say the board feels heavy I don't think you are popping off the jumps correctly. Everytime someone complains that the board feels heavy (for both freeride and freestyle), I'm inclined to think that there is an issue with they technique - because when you do it correctly, flex from the the board literally pushes itself into the air and it should feel weightless.

If you don't know the difference check out 0:15 of the video below.

That's not to say a newer board won't be fun to ride either. I've ridden the K2 Parkstar and Fastplant (I wish they still made the Jibpan, which ironically was not a jib board) and those are decent boards (neither blew my mind though). I'm just trying to help you out and I think aside from a bit of psychological "confidence"... better technique will outdo new gear every day of the year.

Hope this helps.

11-21-2012 03:35 PM

arl2

Yeah around there. But it also depends on what your going to do. Since you want to hit jumps and progress into the park, a smaller board would be better. Easier to control and spin in the air.

Oh right, I forgot to mention some stuff. My current salmon forecast is a somewhat stiff cambered 154. I tried testing out some of my friends boards and the Salomons noticeable heavier, especially when I'm trying to jump. I'm 5'9 and 148lbs. I'm guessing I would be looking for a board between 150-155. Does that sound about right?

Ya, that size range will work for you.
Between the two, I'd go for the Ride Machete. A much better board for your riding style than the Raygun, although it is a little more expensive.

11-21-2012 03:27 PM

Butters

Oh right, I forgot to mention some stuff. My current salmon forecast is a somewhat stiff cambered 154. I tried testing out some of my friends boards and the Salomons noticeable heavier, especially when I'm trying to jump. I'm 5'9 and 148lbs. I'm guessing I would be looking for a board between 150-155. Does that sound about right?

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